Gunston Hall Crew Boosts Knowledge of Colombian Culture

By Cpl. Brittany J. Kohler, USS Gunston Hall Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Service members aboard the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock-landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) reviewed and discussed pertinent communication skills during a Spanish class aboard the ship to prepare for Amphibious Southern Partnership Station 2011 (A-SPS11), Jan. 20.

The A-SPS 11 mission is scheduled to kick off in Covenas, Colombia, and the class was conducted to prepare embarked crew members for subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) and community relations projects with the Colombian military. Embarked aboard Gunston Hall in support of A-SPS 11 is a Security Cooperation Task Force (SCTF), made up of Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, 2nd Tank Battalion, and 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion.

The SCTF's mission is to strengthen cooperative partnerships among nations and come together to enhance regional maritime security.

"It is important to learn some basic Spanish to enable us to build relationships, develop naval interoperability, and demonstrate our commitment to our partners in this hemisphere," said Staff Sgt. Mario G. Rodriguez, communications maintenance chief for the SCTF.

SCTF Marines and Sailors on board Gunston Hall will exchange professional knowledge and expertise with Colombian military members to include combat marksmanship, land navigation, water survival, visit, board, search and seizure and other vital areas to improve skills and develop relationships with the Colombian forces.

"If you are able to greet the Colombian Marines and know their rank, it will open doors to create interaction, socialization and friendships," said Rodriguez. "It is very uncommon for enlisted personnel in the Colombian forces to know any English."

Considering the language barrier between the U.S. and the Colombian forces, learning their language and culture is important for the SMEEs to be effectively accomplished.

The class focused on basic Spanish grammar and how to identify the Colombian military ranks. It provided key words and common sentences to communicate with the Colombian community. Service members also learned basic customs and courtesies in the Columbian culture.

"I learned a lot about customs and courtesies through the training, that is what was most important to me," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Joseph T. Waples with the SCTF. "Since we are going to their country, it is important to show them our desire to form those cultural bonds."

In addition to learning about Colombia, SCTF Marines learned about the history, food and traditions of Belize, Guatemala, and Jamaica before embarking on the mission. Gunston Hall is scheduled to visit these countries as well during the deployment to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

"We have conducted a few classes on this subject already," said Rodriguez. "But it is important to practice and review the material."

The class was just a small part of the continuous training and preparation for the mission onboard Gunston Hall.

"The class was definitely beneficial and a great refresher of the previous training," said Waples. "The classes will help us in our interactions and will put the U.S. military in a better light in regards to our relations with foreign countries."

Southern Partnership Station 2011 – Amphibious is a United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)-directed operation implemented by Commander, United States Naval Forces South (COMUSNAVSO), supported by United States Marine Corps Forces, South (MARFORSOUTH) and carried out by Commander, Destroyer Squadron Four Zero (CDS40), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and a Marine Corps Security Cooperation Task Force.

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